F1 Champion Hamilton Getting to Grips with Slick Tyres

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton finished the weeks test laps on top – and is focusing on his new slick tyres.

Hamilton, who completed 93 laps, said: “It doesn’t take long to get used to the new buttons in the cockpit.

‘But the real test for everyone now is to understand the slick tyres ahead of the first race in Melbourne next month.’

The majority of the four days in Jerez was spent finessing the new McLaren’s balance and set-up on slick tyres while also putting background miles on the KERS device – which proved largely trouble-free during all four days.

Hamilton saw off stiff competition from Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull who is expected to give McLaren and Ferrari a run for their money.

Hamilton’s best lap time of one minute 20.737secs was only one thousandth of a second quicker than Vettel.

With different teams employing different set-ups, not too much can be read into the lap times, however, McLaren appeared very pleased with their week’s work.